UPDATE: Firefighters are battling a new fire in Douglas County in the Pine Nut Mountains, north of Topaz Ranch Estates and south of Gardnerville, which started by lightning Tuesday. Elsewhere, the Bug Fire and Fred Fire merged Tuesday, threatening thousands of homes north and northwest of Reno.
The Eagle Fire is currently burning along the ridgetop above Minnehaha Canyon with zero containment as of Wednesday morning. No structures have been lost.
East Fork Fire and the National Wildland Fire Service are operating under Unified Command. A structure protection group is in place, and additional resources are expected today.
The fire is located in a remote area that is difficult to access by ground, so firefighters are utilizing aircraft for direct attack. Two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and two scooper aircraft are currently working on the fire.
Road and Water Closures
There will be road closures today to allow fire personnel and equipment to safely access and work the fire:
- Minnehaha Canyon at Canyon Road
- Ricky Canyon off Upper Colony in Wellington
Topaz Lake will be closed at 10 a.m. today to allow aircraft to safely access the water for firefighting operations. Fire officials advise to avoid these areas and allow extra travel time for fire personnel and equipment to access the fire.
There is also the possibility of localized thunderstorms today, with the potential for heavy lightning and flooding. Fire officials will continue to monitor weather conditions closely to ensure the safety of personnel working on the fire.
Fire officials advise people to stay out of the fire area if possible and follow all posted closures and directions from fire personnel.
BUG FIRE
Meanwhile, the Bug and Fred Fires merged into one fire Tuesday, burning 66,505 acres and zero percent containment. The Bug Fire started Saturday near the California and Nevada state line, affecting Washoe County as well as Lassen and Sierra counties in California. More than 6,000 residents are under evacuation orders. See Watch Duty for updates and see the evacuation map here.
An arrest was made in the Fred Fire incident, according to Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Christine Mitchell, 47, was taken into custody in connection with starting the fire.
According to the investigation, Mitchell left a residence near 1300 block of Freds Mountain Road and intentionally started multiple fires in the area, resulting in the Fred Fire.
As fire personnel responded shortly after it began, Mitchell flagged down responding crews and told them she had intentionally started the fire, according to the sheriff’s office. Fire personnel then transferred Mitchell into the custody of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Mitchell was booked on charges of third degree arson and possession of a controlled substance.
We will update as information becomes available.
